Poll Reveals Most Home Owners Spend Over Three Hours Cleaning on Weekends

Category: Cleaning Tips

MaidPro, the leader in the art and science of residential cleaning, recently conducted a poll on Facebook that revealed 60% spend three or more hours cleaning on a weekend; 30% spend up to two hours; and 10% said “Not enough. I never feel caught up!” To help homeowners reclaim their summer and outsource the dirty work; MaidPro is sharing the top six questions to ask before hiring a home cleaning service to keep your home and family safe.

“Our recent poll indicates that consumers spend a good portion of their weekends cleaning their homes, and many are frustrated by it,” said Melissa Homer, MaidPro’s Chief Cleaning Officer. “Hiring a professional cleaning company is the best way to spend more time enjoying the summer sun! However, many don’t think about who they are letting into their home. It is critical to ask the right questions before hiring a cleaning service, to avoid unexpected perils such as an uninsured company, illegal immigrants, and broken valuables.”

Homer, a cleaning expert, encourages homeowners to do their research before hiring a cleaning professional. She says that they are many underlying factors to consider that will keep your home and you safe. Here are the top questions to ask, and the answers you should hear, from any good, professional home cleaning service.

What to ask: Are you bonded and insured?

What to listen for: Most companies are bonded, which simply means they will follow rules and standard practices for the safety of the client. But they need to be insured for employee accidents, crime, and liability, too. Make sure you ask for proof of insurance. If a company can’t quickly and easily send you proof of insurance via email or fax, there’s probably something fishy going on.

What to ask: Do you perform criminal background checks on all of your employees?

What to listen for: These people will be coming into your home, using your keys, and storing your credit card. Ask them for the name of the company they use to background check their employees. If they can’t name their background checking vendor off the top of their head, they probably aren’t really running checks. You should also ask them about their hiring process to ensure that background checks are run on every single employee, not just once in a while.

What to ask: What happens if something breaks?

What to listen for: This should be covered by insurance in most cases, which is why it’s important to have proof that the company is insured. Ask them to specify what is covered by insurance if something breaks in your home, and make sure they have a simple, systematic claims process in place for these instances.

What to ask: How do you keep my key safe?
What to listen for: Keys should not be tied to any specific address when they are kept by a cleaning service. They should tell you that all keys are coded, locked in a safe, and only the house cleaner cleaning your home will have access to your key.

What to ask: How do you keep my credit card information safe?

What to listen for: Companies that keep a client’s credit card on file have to be just as safe as Visa or MasterCard with customer information. Make sure the company stores your card number in a secure software program that uses data encryption and only displays the last four numbers of your card to employees.

What to ask: Do you have a service guarantee if I’m not happy with the job you did?

What to listen for: Every home cleaning service should offer this. You don’t want to be up a creek with a messy tub! Make sure they will come back and re-clean anything that was missed, free of charge.

About MaidPro

MaidPro is the fastest growing residential cleaning franchise in North America with more than 100 offices servicing 28 states and the District of Columbia. A Boston-based franchisor, MaidPro elevates household cleaning to a new level of customized and scientific care through its 49-Point Checklist TM and its exceptional customer service. All MaidPro franchisees are graduates of MaidPro University where they have been trained on MaidPro’s 49-Point Checklist and tested methodologies. The company, franchising since 1997, takes pride in its strong owner community and cutting-edge technology. MaidPro has been honored with the Franchise Business Review’s Four-Star Rating and Franchise 50 awards in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 for owner satisfaction. The company is a proud member of the International Franchise Association and the New England Franchise Association. MaidPro can be found online at http://www.maidpro.com.